Having accepted the designated chair, which Mr. Holcroft has placed directly across from mine, Mr. Nutting owns himself thankful for the offer and consents to the claret. It is delivered to him with commendable speed, and as he raises the glass to his lips to take the first sip, he toasts to the company. “This is highly unusual, but I am grateful for the opportunity to exonerate myself from the most astounding charge.”
“Here, here,” Mr. Holcroft cheers, drinking deeply as well.
Next to me, Sebastian leans over and tenders an abject apology for his father’s conduct. “He cannot stand to be thwarted, though I swear he is the most congenial of men when he gets his way. That is why he rubs together so well with the servants.”
Mr. Nutting returns his glass to the table and grants me permission to proceed whenever I am ready. “I am still uncertain as to what is happening. I have brought several examples of my writing, as per Holcroft’s message, but I cannot conceive of what purpose they serve.”
“To prove you’re the killer,” Chester replies with a mouthful of custard before he is rebuked by his father. Contrite, he amends his answer to say the opposite—to prove he isnotthe killer—then looks to Mr. Holcroft for approval, while his mother chastises him for speaking with food in his mouth.
Coolly, I confirm this information, adding that the examples of his writing will be compared to the sample left by Mr. Keast’s murderer. “It is not the only way to identify the culprit, but it is a very helpful one. Would you like to begin there? We can make the assessment right here and now and spare you further questioning if the results are conclusive. Or we can discuss the other evidence first.”
Mr. Nutting, borrowing a page from his neighbor’s book, smiles with a superior air and says he would like to hear the evidence against him. “Out of curiosity, you understand. AsIknow I did not harm Keast, the handwriting evaluation will be the beginning and the end of the conversation.”
Or will it just be the end?
If the penmanship matches, his guilt will be undeniable.
Drawing out the encounter allows him time to formulate a plan.
“Very well,” I say, then propose we continue the discussion elsewhere. “In the drawing room, perhaps, or the study—somewhere more private? It might be disconcerting for you to talk about personal business in front of so many people.”
Mr. Holcroft jeers at this courtesy. “She is speaking of herself, Alan.Sheis disconcerted by the company. As a spy, she prefers to work furtively.”
“Again, Flora, I am so sorry,” Sebastian says softly.
I brush my shoulder against his to assure him it does not matter.
And it does not.
His father can be as sulky as he wants.
Sebastianloves me.
Sebastian lovesme.
It is wonderful.
Everything is wonderful, even the prospect of having this sullen toddler of a man for a father-in-law.
My eyes trained on Mr. Nutting, I point out that he has yet to respond to my polite offer. As an inducement, I disclose that the first question pertains to the missing shawl.
“Not this nonsense again,” he mutters, stiffening in his chair as his eyes sweep the room. “Is Grace here? Is she hiding in the hallway? I swear, that woman will be the death of me. You can come out now, Grace! It did not work.”
His wife does not emerge from the shadows.
“Mrs. Nutting is not here,” I say gently.
He calls for her again to no avail, then looks at Mr. Holcroft impatiently. “You have played your part, beckoning me to come at a moment’s notice. But this farce has gone on long enough. I demand that you present my wife so I may take her to task for teasing me about this nonsense long after I said I was finished with the topic.”
“Miss Hyde-Clare speaks the truth,” our host replies. “Mrs. Nutting is not present, nor did she have anything to do with the summons. I sent that of my own volition.”
His neighbor shakes his head as though to dislodge the disproved idea, then glares at me anew. “Then why the devil are you pestering me about that cursed orange scarf?”
For Mrs. Holcroft’s benefit, I clarify that the garment is a shawl in Russian flame.
In response, she emits a startledoh.
Mr. Nutting turns to her sharply. “Why do you say that? Why are you surprised? What is the significance? Why does anyone care? What is going on?”
